Editor’s Note: This article has been updated after publication to clarify the wording around the diplomatic demarche.
PRETORIA – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has moved to demarche the United States ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, over what it described as “undiplomatic remarks”.
The remarks include comments he made about South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies as well as the Expropriation Act.
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International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said the ambassador’s role is to support constructive relations between the United States and South Africa.
DIRCO says Bozell acknowledged South Africa’s need for redress given its history and expressed a willingness to work constructively with the government.
Meanwhile, Bozell has clarified that the United States respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary.